A Mother Load of Books

I compiled this list in preparation for a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting this week. I thought I'd share it here! If you are a Mom, the first book I recommend is the Bible! Being in His Word each day is your oxygen. But there are also some great books that have been a friend to me for the last 9+ years of mothering. I didn't go into great detail about each one, so if you have a question, let me know!


General Parenting (early childhood)

Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp
Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage
My Heart’s at Home by Jill Savage
Mitten Strings for God by Katrina Kenison
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms by Dr. Laura Schlessinger
The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Sacred Parenting by Gary Thomas
Romancing Your Child’s Heart by Monte Swan


General Parenting (school age / teen years)

Grace-Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
Raising Kids for True Greatness by Tim Kimmel
Breathe by Keri Wyatt Kent
The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison


Marriage and Family Life

The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth
Captivating by Stasi and John Eldredge
Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
Sheet Music by Kevin Lehman


Parenting Issues

She’s Gonna Blow (dealing with anger) by Julie Barnhill
Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Have a New Kid by Friday by Kevin Lehman

Home and Organization

Desperate Households by Kathy Peel
The Complete Guide to Getting & Staying Organized by Karen Ehman
Sink Reflections by Marla Cilley (Fly Lady.com)

Raising Boys

Wild Things – The Art of Nurturing a Boy’s Heart by Stephen James/David Thomas
Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson
Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
Mom’s Everything Book for Sons by Becky Freeman

further proof that i'm just plain weird

I've downloaded some music lately and thought I'd tell you about it. It's an eclectic mix, but I'm just an eclectic kind of gal...

First of all, I never thought I'd be purchasing "Beauty Will Rise" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Especially after hearing the first single on the radio, "Heaven is the Face", I thought, my goodness, that would be an incredibly depressing album. But here's the thing - it's really full of hope and promise and HEAVEN - which is exactly what I've needed the past few weeks. SCC writes with this raw, honest emotion that causes me to close my eyes and feel like he could read my mind with certain lyrics. It's been a set of songs I've turned to again and again.

Now, on another subject entirely, I have a hard time finding good songs to work out to. Anybody feelin' me? You want rock/hip-hop/funk, something with that beat, you know, the one that keeps one foot running in front of the other? And frankly, after about 5-10 plays, those songs get old and you need fresh tunes for fresh motivation.

May I introduce you to Group 1 Crew? Every time I hear a new song I like on The Refuge (one of our local Christian radio stations) it's from Group 1 Crew. They are a little mix of Black Eyed Peas or The Fugees or Beyonce, except with much better lyrics :) Try out songs like "Let it Roll" "Movin'" or "Clap Yo Hands" and just try and sit still. Impossible.

And then you can thank me later for keeping you in your running shoes.

building that which is invisible

Today I'm reflecting on a near-decade of staying home with my children - what I've done, what I've regretted. Five years ago, we were knee-high in boys: Greg was 4, Daniel 2, and Jonny had just made his entrance.

There were awful, ugly days filled with tears and yelling - and that was just me, Ha! But then there were days like this one (above) where I relished those simple, sweet days of Thomas the Tank Engine and cuddling with the soft baby skin of my little men. Days I lived for all 3 of them to nap at the same time! Sweet mother of mercy!!

Mothering is so hard because there's just precious little to tell you you're doing it right. You simply have to trust God with each day's decisions, and trust your heart as you listen to the little souls you are surrounded with each day.

I have made so many mistakes, so many selfish choices. I have had to rest in "good enough" and throw perfection out with the dirty diapers. I have also had the privilege of seeing a child glow in the light of love. I have seen a child believe in a God and a heaven they have never touched, never seen.

I have learned what it means to trust God in ways I never could have imagined.

One of my favorite books on mothering is by Katrina Kenison called "Mitten Strings for God." It always calms me down, reminds me what's important, what's not. Here's a quote I have never forgotten:

"It is not what I do as a mother, but who I am as a human being that will make a deep and lasting impression on my children. When I discipline my children, I must also be disciplined myself."

His Signature

Weaving thick fingers through wavy white hair

Grace spilling from his smile

Losing his sixth pair of reading glasses

Lifting a child in an embrace

His hands on your shoulders

His presence

Your gift

Two is Two Pretty

How fun are these girls? I COULD NOT get Hope to look at the camera, but she's not a fan of cooperating these days; I should have known.

First they got tickled saying "CHHEEEEESE" but Hope got a little violent at the end. Listen for her "sawy, sawy" (sorry) and the big smooch on her cousin's cheek.

Last Week...

It's hard to only include a few photos from this past week. I took a lot of pictures, and I have so many memories - I struggle with what to say today.

Greg's service was so...powerful. I loved how we were able to cry, laugh, and worship as a result of celebrating his life. It was humbling and beautiful to see the many lives Greg touched in his lifetime. I wish he had truly known the impact of his presence. I pray he does now, in the presence of God.

A few weeks before he left us, he wrote notes to every single son, daughter-in-law, and grandchild. Those notes are now such treasures. He never failed to show his love for us in a variety of ways. If you have been blessed by someone, write them a note today!

Here are just a few of the photos from the week: These two became good buddies - Hope and MLou. Both are 2 years old (ML is about 1/2 a year older) and love playing together. Soon, I'll post a funny video of the two of them giggling.

Mama, Hope, and me

Since Hope's Bday was the 29th, it was hard to figure out how/when to celebrate. We decided on a small shin-dig with the Longfellows who had come for the service. We met in their hotel commons area and shared pizza and Strawberry Shortcake cupcakes.

Oh man, I love this shot of me and my "little" brother. I'll do my best to get you a copy, Mom, don't worry! I took Doug and Kelli to Duluth one afternoon, but we pretty much got blown to death by the chilly Lake Superior winds. This was taken in the (warm) museum next to the Lift Bridge.

Sister Kelli :)

And check out these gorgeous grandchildren! (Minus the baby Jule and the oldest, K) They had a great time being together again, becoming brothers and sisters to each other. This is what it's all about - loving each other, continuing the legacy Poppy left us.